How to Save Money On Weddings

Twelve quick tips on how to save money when planning a wedding.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 1. Shop online and start as early as possible! Look on Ebay and other auction sites for gowns, tuxes, shoes, accessories, decorations, gifts, etc.
   
   You can find everything you can imagine you might want and if you start early, you can save bundles on the top designer gowns, bridal bouquets, accessories and so much more.

2. 2. Get married in a park or another unusual venue and save money on church or specialty hall rentals. Save your money on renting your reception space.
   
   If you have a great backyard consider using it when the flowers are in bloom or find a friend or relative who has a nice garden or backyard.

3. 3. Buy diamonds second hand and have them reset. You can get a high quality diamond for less than half price, have it reset in a setting of your choice, and then pay the small fee to have it appraised in your new setting. Diamonds are forever but there isn't any reason you have to pay out the nose for that forever stone.

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   4. Make your own bouquets. You can buy flowers wholesale online at places like 2G Roses to be delivered the next day for a whole lot less. Or make them ahead with silk flowers. Florists charge outrageous prices for their services and most are just basic arrangements that can be done easily by yourself.

5. 5. Rent a limo from a corporate office or a funeral home and save big bucks. A limo is a limo and as long as it is clean and in nice shape who cares where it gets rented from? Or go another route and have a friend with a nice classic car pick you up to take you to the church and to the reception. Classic cars make great photo ops with both the bride and the groom.

6. 6. Don't buy expensive guest books and pens. Buy an inexpensive photo mat and a couple color coordinating gel pens and have people sign it. Then you can use it to frame out a nice wedding photo of your choice.
   
   Or buy coordinating gel pens or permanent sharpie markers and let guests sign the cloth table covering that is on the gift table. Then the table cloth can be framed or reused for special occasions whenever you wish.

7. 7. Don't buy your bridesmaid gowns at expensive Bridal Shops, go to a large department store or a clothing store that sells prom gowns and buy them there. Bridal stores are over-priced for gowns that will be worn only once and usually have suspect quality and usually need alterations which adds to an already over-taxed budget.
   
   Buying cocktail gowns or dresses that can be worn at other special occasions is a must more practical idea and your girls and mother and/or mother-in-law to be can pick out a nice gown or dress that they like and will be proud to wear again all for a whole lot less money than what the average gown from a bridal shop will cost.

8. 8. Make your own wedding invitations. You can buy any quality paper you would like at craft or stationary stores and use your home computer. You can copy a design already out there, create your own design or use a pre-made program for such things. In any case, you can save big dollars by doing it yourself and you only need to read a few sample invitations to figure out your own wording and you can have a special custom invitation.

9. 9. If you do order gowns, tuxes, invitations, rentals etc. Make sure to ask in advance of signing any rental or purchase agreements for any extra or hidden fees, such as document fees, insurance fees, credit card surcharges, no show fees, storage fees, gown bag fees, garment pressing charges, alteration fees, dyeing fees, etc and put all purchases on a credit card for your protection (you can debate charges with credit card company if need be for anything you didn't agree to pay for).
   
   When you are happy with the price, make sure to get it all in writing. It will save you piece-of-mind later when something goes wrong or you don't get exactly what you ordered or wanted.

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    10. Shop the craft stores and fabric stores to pay less for accessories like guest books, pens, photo frames, attendant gifts, guest favors, silk flowers, tulle netting, beading etc.
    
    You will spend a whole lot less than from a speciality party goods store and the selection of merchandise will be infinitely better.

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    11. Have a potluck dinner after rehearsals instead of booking a dinner at an expensive restaurant. I mean really, you will be there with your family and friends and what better way of getting everyone from both sides of a family to loosen up and get to know each other better than sharing and eating great home cooked food in a relaxed environment?
    
    Not too mention you will save big bucks that would be better spent elsewhere, like say on your Honeymoon!

12. 12. Ask a cooking school student or recent graduate to cater your reception. They will savor the experience, be inexpensive, have the resources and drive to do it well, will provide some great food and you will be helping someone get their foot into the door of the catering industry.
    
    Just set a budget, settle on a menu, write up a contract and give them plenty of time to work up their creation! They may also know a fellow student who you can contract to make your wedding cake as well. All for a whole lot less than contracting a professional service.

Tips & Warnings

• There are many ways to save money and still have an outstanding wedding if you set your mind to it.
• Use the internet as a resource for all your wedding questions, if you can think it up, you can find an answer to it on the internet.
• Use your family and friends as a resource, ask for referrals from recent brides and grooms. They can tell you where, when, how and why of their own wedding.
• Don't be afraid to shop around and don't let high-pressure salespeople push into making a snap decision on anything. Keep in mind they usually work on commission and it is your hard earned money they want to take.
• Give yourself plenty of time to plan and shop, you will save money if you take your time before making a decision.
• Think outside the box to have a great and memorable wedding!

[axabouy]

on 7/7/2009 This is one of the Cool sites used.
Got Flowers ordered, FREE registry a breeze for the family to go on line and buy gifts. The Wedding Tracker was a breeze..Took the stress away!!
Then ALL vacation (condo, Limo, Flight etc) expenses taken care of as well.. AWESOME!!
http://www.ytbromance.com/kd4slm